Shapeshifting, changing colors, moving media around, aiming for a different look. I miss blogging and want to be more faithful, find my community again...

I turn 55 this year. A family year! I am a daughter taking care of my parents, a wife supporting my husband, and a mother guiding my own daughter, who will soon be leaving the nest. I long for routine, but cannot seem to find one. Days slip by, and I wonder where they went...

My media of choice right now seems to be drawing, painting, and embroidery. I've found someone wonderful to draw with once a week - that keeps me going. I've taught some fun embroidery classes, that keeps me excited.

I still wish for escape, the ability to walk into a new story, a different world. My art helps me do this on a small scale. I close my eyes and imagine simplicity, tranquility and serenity...

After yesterdays post I realized that I also sketch on porcelain occasionally. This little plate, started last winter - is an example of one of my more 'sketchy' porcelain pieces. What is really interesting to me, is that my pencil sketches are usually drawn from nature (realistic) while my porcelain pieces are drawn from my imagination (fantasy). Somehow I have given myself permission to 'play' when using a paintbrush, but not with a pencil - fascinating and enlightening!

Almost 30 years ago after graduating from UC Davis with a degree in Textile Design, I had it in my head that I needed an MFA too. During a grueling interview at a prestigious art school (the name isn't important here) I was told "You cannot draw" by one of my interviewers. I can still remember his face and condescending tone of voice. I was so stunned and hurt. Regardless of this man's opinion I was accepted into the school, but chose not to go - beginning my life then as a self-employed artist.

I can remember loving to draw as a child, and certainly when I was getting my college degrees, I spent hours with pencil in hand, sketching whatever interested me at the time. But that year, when I was told that I could not draw changed me. That one little sentence, told by a college mentor no less, robbed me of decades of pleasure spent sketching and drawing. I didn't draw for nearly 20 years!

As a teacher myself now, I look back to that day, and wonder what it was that made me stop drawing rather then trying to prove him wrong. I may never know. But I do know that telling someone that they cannot draw, or paint, or create or whatever it is - can be a death blow - and just isn't the truth! I have seen time and time again, that anyone can learn to be an artist! Subjective opinions aside, whatever lines we create as individuals are important and matter to us!

Today, I am at best a sporadic sketch booker. But very recently I have become more inclined to pick up a pencil and draw. I feel compelled to prove this ghost wrong and discover what lies beneath my crumbled dreams. I have been drawing with my Mother when we visit together, and journaling when I feel the need to ideate or study something in detail. Those horrible words, said so long ago, are nearly silent now.

Clara loves eggs! Boiled, fried, or scrambled, not a day goes by without a bite of her favorite protein. But when she heard that on Easter Sunday almost all eggs served are chocolate, she nearly lost her whiskers in excitement! If there is one thing Clara loves more than eggs, it is chocolate eggs!"Clara" by Ulla Milbrath and vintage easter boxes available at Castle in the Air.

Just in time for Valentines day, my Castle class last Sunday made 'sweetheart pillows'. Inspired by WWI pillows, these are made of felt, beads and pins. The perfect sentiment for someone special! Each were as different as the lovely women in my class.

Little Ruby Rae has found the perfect cozy nook to rest her weary bones. Having just spent days upon days gathering nuts for her Mouseling friends - she may just sleep through the New Year - or until the Bluebirds sing!

(Ornament made for the annual Castle In The Air Christmas party - 2012)